Robbie Robertson accept induction for the Band

"First I would like to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to make music and records with Rick Denko, Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, and Richard Manuel. I'm convinced now, as I was then, that nobody in the world could sing and play the songs that I wrote with as much believability and soulfulness as they have. It's an honor to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, just to be mentioned alongside the recording artists that have been such a tremendous influence upon us. Muddy and Elvis and Chuck and Buddy and Ray, and Mahalia Jackson, who I hope will be acknowledged next year. We should thank Ronnie Hawkins for being so instrumental in us coming together, and for teaching us the code of the road, so to speak. Bob Dylan for not caving in when we were being booed everywhere we played. I mean, just about everybody was saying "Get rid of these guys." He didn't budge. I'd like to thank Capitol Records for gambling on a band with no name, Moe Austin for supporting The Last Waltz, David Geffen for helping reunite Bob and the Band, and Albert Grossman for his kitchen, and his guidance, and for actually starting the whole Woodstock thing. If it wasn't for Albert, the festival might have been called "Poughkeepsie." The "Poughkeepsie" generation; it just doesn't quite have the same ring to it. I'd like to thank my friend Martin Scorcese for lending his filmmaking genius to The Last Waltz. And of course, all the great artists who performed in the film, and Eric Clapton, for being so gracious to induct us this evening. Most of all, I'd like to thank my wife Dominique, who's been patiently putting up with me for 27 years, and our three children, Alexandra, Delphine, and Sebastian, for being the truest inspiration in my life. Thank you."